Homemade Croutons are so easy to make from stale bread with this simple and customizable recipe! Oven baked until golden and crispy, these crunchy croutons are the perfect addition to all your favorite soups and salads.
Homemade Croutons
I love croutons so much I could probably eat a whole bag like they were chips. Luckily, you can make them at home and make as big a batch as you want! Homemade croutons are super easy. All you need is a half (or whole) loaf of slightly stale bread, some olive oil, and your favorite seasoning blend. Bake until crispy and you’re ready to add some crunch and texture to soups and salads galore! I love that you can use up the bread on your counter that is starting to harden just a little too much so it doesn’t go to waste. Plus you can change up the flavors to fit any kind of pallet. You’ll never opt for store bought again.
Begging for more bread recipes? Check out these Homemade Bread Bowls or easy, buttery Garlic Bread to pair with lunch or dinner!
What is the best kind of bread for croutons?
Honestly, any bread that has started to harden is great. You can make a wide variety of flavors by using sourdough, pumpernickel, or rye. The classic version, and my bread of choice, is a crusty loaf of french bread. This bread typically starts to get stale fairly quick and is made for baking!
How To Make Homemade Croutons
- Preheat. Preheat your oven to 375°F. Line a large baking sheet (15×21 if you’ve got it) with parchment paper and set aside.
- Cut. Slice and cube the French bread into 1 inch cubes. Arrange in a single layer on the pan.
- Season. In a small bowl, mix together the oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle liberally over the bread cubes. Drizzle olive oil over top and toss to coat.
- Bake. Bake the croutons for 12-15 minutes until they are crunchy and light golden brown in color.
- Serve. Use the croutons to top your favorite soup or salad, or store them to use later. Enjoy!
How to Store Croutons for Later
One of the best things about homemade croutons is how long they last! Store these bite sized babies in a ziplock bag in the pantry for up to 3 weeks.
Serving Suggestions
So now that you’ve got your tray of croutons, what should you serve them with? Really you can use these as a topping for any soup or salad you like. For salads I love to add a little crunch to this amazing Italian Chopped Salad or add another layer to my favorite Chopped Salad with Garlic Dill Ranch Dressing. As for soups, Carrot Soup or Roasted Tomato Soup can only get better with a handful of croutons on top! And while French Onion Soup does typically have bread served alongside it, croutons are an easy way to add that crunch if you don’t have a fresh loaf on hand!
Ingredients Notes for Homemade Croutons
- Bread – Stale bread is the best for this recipe and is a great way to use up a loaf that’s about to be past its prime. I like to use French bread but you could try out Italian or another thick, crusty bread. You can even make a gluten free version!
- Oil – Olive oil allows the seasoning to stick to the croutons while keeping them on the lighter side. You could use butter if you prefer.
- Seasoning – Dried thyme and oregano provide flavor while salt and pepper give the bread some taste. You could experiment with some garlic and onion powder, some Italian seasoning, or anything you’ve got on hand!
Enjoy!
~Nichole
Homemade Croutons
Ingredients
- 1/2 Loaf, 8 Ounces French Bread sliced and cut into 1-inch cubes (stale bread works best)*
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 teaspoon Dried Thyme
- 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
- 1/4 Cup Olive Oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and line a 15×21 baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Add the cut bread to the pan then mix the garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, oregano, salt and pepper in a small bowl and sprinkle it on top of the bread.
- Drizzle the oil on top then toss the bread around to coat completely.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the croutons are light and golden in color.
- Serve over your favorite soup or salad.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
